IF YOU HAVE A BABY ON FORMULA YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!!

AnnMarie - posted on 09/27/2010
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(NaturalNews) It has been a few days since Abbott Laboratories, makers of Similac infant formula, issued a recall after discovering some of its products may have been contaminated with beetles (and beetle larvae). The mainstream media ran with this story and parents everywhere suddenly got concerned that their babies might be drinking beetle parts.

But are beetles really the scariest thing in Similac? Not by a long shot if you know anything about nutrition.

I purchased a 24-oz container of Similac Go & Grow soy-based formula, emblazoned with a cute teddy bear on the front label and positioned towards "9 to 24 months." It comes with the claim "balanced nutrition for older babies." But is it really balanced nutrition?

42.6% corn syrup solidsThe very first ingredient, shown right on the label, is 42.6% CORN SYRUP SOLIDS.

Stop right there. Are they saying that Similac infant formula is 42.6% corn syrup solids? That's a form of highly processed sugar. Is this really what infants need -- nearly half their formula to be made of corn syrup sugars? Nutritionists would strongly disagree.

But it gets even better: The next ingredient is 14.7% SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE. Most soy protein, as NaturalNews readers already know, is derived from a hexane chemical extraction process that we've covered in previous articles: http://www.naturalnews.com/026303_s...

Beyond the hexane question, did you know that 91% of the soy fields grown in America contain genetically modified soy? The Similac can does not say "non-GMO soy" because it's not required to be put on the label (thanks to the FDA shell game). But Consumer Reports actually bought and tested infant formula for genetically engineered DNA and found that Similac was using GMO soy in their products. (http://www.consumersunion.org/food/...)

The next ingredient in the Similac can I bought is 11.5% HIGH OLEIC SAFFLOWER OIL, followed by 10.1% SUGAR (SUCROSE).

If you're doing the math on this, that makes Similac 52.7% sugar (corn syrup solids plus the sucrose) with soy protein. I can hardly think of a better way to raise diabetic, obese children than to feed them a diet that's over 50 percent sugar. It also seems like a great way to get infants addicted to sugar -- a curse that will haunt them through the rest of their lives.

Next on the list is 8.4% SOY OIL (most likely from GMO soybeans, too) and then 7.8% COCONUT OIL (which is, in my opinion, the only healthy ingredient in the entire product).

Plus it has some chemical "vitamins" on the label such as CYANOCOBALAMIN, the cheapest form of vitamin B-12 available to food manufacturers. It actually binds the vitamin to a cyanide molecule, just in case you were wondering.

As wikipedia explains, "B12 refers to a group of cobalt-containing vitamer compounds known as cobalamins: these include cyanocobalamin (an artifact formed as a result of the use of cyanide in the purification procedures)."

It then adds, "the cyanocobalamin form of B12 does not occur in nature normally, but is a byproduct of the fact that other forms of B12 are avid binders of cyanide (-CN) which they pick up in the process of activated charcoal purification of the vitamin after it is made by bacteria in the commercial process. Since the cyanocobalamin form of B12 is easy to crystallize and is not sensitive to air-oxidation, it is typically used as a form of B12 for food additives and in many common multivitamins." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitami...)

Why Similac should have been recalled long before the beetle incidentWith this in mind, what we really have with Similac infant formula is powered sugars, genetically modified soy protein, more sugar, safflower and soy oils, a bit of coconut oil and some vitamin chemicals made with cyanide molecules. They also throw in some DHA to make moms think it must somehow resemble breast milk fats.

Are you beginning to see why the beetles are the least of the problems with this product?

Keep in mind that ignorant moms are feeding this stuff to their babies every single day! They think it's good for their babies because they don't take the time to read ingredient labels (or they are unable to understand what the labels mean). But make no mistake: I can't think of a single informed nutritionist who would recommend feeding babies a powder that's more than 50% sugar combined with genetically modified soy protein. To do so is actually nutritional child abuse in my view.

That's why I say Similac should be recalled just based on what's on the label! In my opinion, this is a dangerous combination of sugars and genetically modified ingredients that are likely to promote diabetes, obesity and nutritional imbalances in babies. To feed this to babies is to nutritionally cause them harm, in my opinion... and to think that Abbott Laboratories is making money selling this sugared-up GMO soy protein to consumers just makes me sick.

I think their slogan should be something like, "Similac - Creating tomorrow's diabetics, one baby at a time."

Help spread the wordPlease share this story and send it to moms, dads and anyone who has an infant. Don't let them feed their babies sugars and GMO soy protein!

You have my permission to post this story in full, but please give credit back to this page on NaturalNews.com and cite Mike Adams as the author.

We need to reach all the parents who are buying Similac and unknowingly feeding their babies corn syrup solids, GMO soy protein, soy oil, sucrose and other ingredients that I consider to be "pure junk." No society should allow this junk to be fed to their babies, especially if they're trying to prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic health problems that are already bankrupting the nation.

In my opinion, Similac might be the perfect product to raise a generation of Big Pharma customers who will need a whole battery of prescription drugs to "treat" all the degenerative health conditions caused by eating dead, processed, sugared-up and genetically modified foods. To imagine that this could somehow be a replacement for the rich, complex nutritional abundance of mother's milk is nutritionally insane.

Ridiculously overpricedWith Similac, there's also the price issue. Considering how cheap these ingredients are, this product seems ridiculously overpriced. If you really wanted to feed your baby something almost identical to this, you could just buy your own table sugar (cheaper than dirt), isolated soy protein (also cheaper than dirt), safflower oil (almost cheaper than dirt) and some coconut oil or flax oil (not so cheap, but you don't need to use much) then mix it all up and add water.

But what mom in her right mind would do such a crazy thing? No mom in her right mind would mix up 50% table sugar in a bottle and feed it to her baby, but that's essentially what she's doing when feeding her baby this variety of Similac that I purchased.

Nutritional insanity has reached a new low with Similac, I submit, and the beetles are the least of the problems with this product line that borders on "nutritional child abuse."

There should seriously be a law against infant formula being made with corn syrup solids and sucrose, not to mention GMO ingredients.

Spread the word, folks. That's the only way people will find out the truth about this and start choosing something that's healthier for their babies. If we hope to have healthy adults in the future, we have to stop nutritionally abusing them when they're infants.

MOST HELPFUL POSTS

Jenn - posted on 10/04/2010

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ARGH!!!!!!!!!! Frustration level peaking! Why do people not read what is written? She did not say that ALL mothers who feed their babies formula are "ignorant". And if you look up the word ignorant in the dictionary it means that you are lacking knowledge about something - so if you did not inform yourself as to what is in formula then YES that does make you ignorant about formula ingredients. Also, she said that feeding baby something that is over 50% sugar is "nutritional child abuse". Would you ever mix up a bottle of water and sugar to feed to your child? No. Why? Because it's unhealthy. Also, she did say that is what is in this particular type of formula that she personally purchased and nowhere did I see her say that she is against ALL formula. This is NOT meant to be a debate about formula vs. breastmilk - nor is it a bash against formula feeders. I think she herself was quite shocked as to what was in the formula that she purchased to feed to her baby and wanted to share her concerns so that others may be more careful to read labels and make themselves informed.

I don't know if it's just me, but none of those links you provided worked. They all said that the page cannot be displayed. Can you repost the correct links please?

I agree with Maggie...she didn't present the facts in a very "factual" manner. Using the words "ignorant" & "nutritional child abuse" are only going to cause moms to become defensive. There are much more effective ways to get your point across without making others feel like absolute crap.

This formula vs. breastfeeding debate (as annoying as it is) will probably continue for many years to come. Unfortunately, FF moms & BF moms will always be "divided" & will probably never come to a common ground. The OP shared HER opinion, so now I will share MINE, because I'm in a crabby mood today. I've seen A LOT of very encouraging & helpful BF moms on COMs, but I've also seen a lot of "nasty" ones. According to them, our formula fed children are doomed for the rest of their lives. They will be fat, ugly, sickly & stupid. Well, you know what? Kiss my butt. Let's line up 100 thirty year olds & try to pick out which ones were breastfed. I bet ya couldn't do it. And I bet half of them don't even know if they were BF or not. There are soooooooooo many other factors that contribute to a person's health & intelligence than how they were fed when they were babies. There's genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle habits (such as drinking, smoking, eating greasy/fatty foods & whether or not they exercise). Being breastfed or formula fed is just one tiny aspect of a person's life...in MY opinion. If you are able to breastfeed...that's WONDERFUL! More power to you! And if you formula feed...that's WONDERFUL too! At least we aren't letting our children starve to death.

Seriously, can you "breast-feeding nazi's" stop? The only response that kept going through my mind would get me kicked off this site. It is not up to you or anybody else to judge formula-feeding mothers. And, yes, that is what you are doing! The least you could do is research all the other types of formula (either made by Similac or other companies) and do a comparison to help those who cannot breastfeed make an informed decision instead of just (seemingly) randomly picking out a SOY formula and basically condemning anybody who DARES give it to their child. Holy crap... I'm sick of these posts! KEEP IT ON THE BREASTFEEDING FORUMS if you are going to post something calling formula-feeding mothers "ignorant".

if she was really concerned about what was in it she should have presented it in a factual, non-emotional manner. As it is she wrote a very insulting, derogatory piece about how EVIL formula is. Does this person really think the best way to get people to listen is to INSULT them? Comments like these are insutling and make people stop reading and stop listening:" It also seems like a great way to get infants addicted to sugar -- a curse that will haunt them through the rest of their lives." (really? again, I think ONE YEAR of food isn't going to curse someone for the REST OF THEIR LIFE)"They think it's good for their babies because they don't take the time to read ingredient labels (or they are unable to understand what the labels mean)." (probably because they're just "ignorant" - and knowing the conotation of that word it should never have been used. "unaware" would have been a better choice of words)"In my opinion, this is a dangerous combination of sugars and genetically modified ingredients that are likely to promote diabetes, obesity and nutritional imbalances in babies. To feed this to babies is to nutritionally cause them harm, in my opinion" (Thanks for your OPINION. Just the facts, please)

My point is that if you want to spread information then do it. If you're going to spread your opinion then do it. but don't do it in a way that belittles and insults the people you are trying to reach!!

I'm sorry, but i think its ignorant to assume mothers are choosing to formula feed. I'm sure they exist, and probably some don't even think twice aboit what they're feeding their babies. However, many of us reading these posts are informed women who wanted to breastfeed, but were not able for one reason or another. I have PCOS, and i literally tried everything except prescription medication to produce enough milk to breast feed. I was never able to produce more than 2-3 ounces A DAY, and that was pumping and attempting to breastfeed 8-12 times a day. Thankfully, i have had breastmilk donors, but i had to start supplementing, and now, my babe is on almost 90% formula. TO BOOT! He's got a sensitivite stomach, so he's on the Gentlease Enfamil that has its main ingredient listed as corn syrup solids. I'm totally horrified that this is his main sustenance. He's broken out in eczema now, and I'm sure its largely due to the formula. I stumbled upon your post desperately searching for organic, dairy, non-gmo baby formula. By the way, none exists from what i can tell. Your article might have been better received if it ended with "if you have to formula feed, here are some options that are better than Similac..."

27 Comments

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User - posted on 11/18/2012

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As for the bugs in the formula it does not suprise me because in everthing we eat drink there are aloud only a certain (low) percentage of bugs to be in our drink/foods. If it goes over of course they will have a recall like this. Im not going to go eat a bug by itself anytime soon but I dont mind knowing this because its something that cant control if I buy things from a store, which I do because I dont grow my own food.

I wish I could grow my own food though because of the bad things they put in food. They do these things and most of the time we dont know exactly what we are eating/drinking, but thee are things that harm u in the long run. Theres even things in food to make us want more of it, its awful!

I am wondering why they put soo much sugar in it, maybe to taste more like sweet breastmilk would? But it really odes seem soo harmful. Sadly even in my case I tried breastfeeding and wasnt producing nearly enough so I had to give him formula ater 2 1/2 months of trying. But what other choice do mothers have? If there are ones Id like to know and if there are other brands that are healthier than others. I used Gerber and thought Similac was a better option if I could have used it, but now Idk

Why is it rude to use a word in the proper way? Just because some people don't know how to use the word properly and think it means something else doesn't mean she shouldn't be able to use the word in it's proper context. That baffles me. And nobody was bashing formula feeding mothers - she is trying to make people more aware of what is really in it. Perhaps if more people really knew what was in formula, they may be more apt to take issue with it and complain to the companies so that a change CAN come about. Remember - the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I do think was rude to even use the word ignorant, too many people take it harshly or as a personal attack! I'm sure she did not mean it in a derogatory way and wishes she had used another word instead! Besides what else is a mother to do when she can not breastfeed? Cows milk? That can't be any better! Formula is a necessary part of some mothers lives and instead of bashing each other we should be fighting to find a better way of making it healthier! I hope you don't harbor ill feelings toward each other because that is not what this website is about! We are on here to give and receive support! Not to argue about matters that need to be changed anyways!

To call all mothers who feed their babies formula "ignorant" and to call feeding them formula "child abuse" is very insulting. Would you rather feed the babies nothing? Many women can't (and I mean CAN'T, not WON'T) breastfeed their babies. Should those babies just go hungry? What about babies with allergies to lactose? I suppose they should just starve, too. If you really have a problem with ALL formula then you should have compared ALL formulas, not just one soy product. You labeled formula in general on the aspects of ONE product. That's ridiculous!Also, breastfeeding/formula isn't the end of a childs diet forever and ever. One year of eating isn't going to curse them for the rest of their lives. If you get breastmilk for a year then are fed fried and processed foods for the next five, ten or twenty is that BETTER than having formula for a year then eating a diet of veggies, fruits and lean meats? I doubt it. If consumers, as a group, speak out against this particular formula and stop buying it, then the company will likely change the way it's made. Until WE do something then they're going to keep taking the easy way, the cheapest way, to get things done. I don't agree with the company's actions but I don't think putting the blame on mothers is going to do anything but turn us all against each other.

One last thing - Why don't we worry more about ACTUAL child abuse than trying to insult mothers who are doing the best they can? There are kids in the world that are actually suffering.

All formulas contain those ingredients. Yes, as a bottle feeder I wonder how awesome these things are for my baby but the reality is that I couldn't do it and some people don't have the option as they have to return to work to support their family.

that's why I give my Daughter Bellamy's Organic Toddler Milk. It's made in lovely Tasmania, and is a good suppliment to her healthy balanced diet. All of the ingredients are certified organic. She is very light, 9kgs at 20 mths, so I give it to her to make up for any shortfalls, once a day.

As for "thank god I can breastfeed", well, I did, for 14 mths, until she weaned herself. I was one of the lucky ones, with only cracked (gashed?) nipples to deal with, so we got through, but if I couldn't have, I would have used Bellamy's infant formula too.

We can read, the ingredients are all right there on the can, we read the ingredients and we make a choice, don't we? Or do we just buy the cheapest, or the one that doesn't make our kids vomit and cry all night or the one the store carries? Either way, it's about choice, informed choice. Read your labels.

I'm one of those Ignorant mothers who didn't breastfeed. No woman in my family was able to produce enough milk we have all been bottlefed from my grandma to my daughter. I started on simiulac Advance Early Protection and HAD to switch to Enfamil Gentlease. I do Have to say I never thought to check the label. It's what the doctor told me to feed my daughter who is now 17 months. So in reading this article I researched the ingrediants and here they are:

I WAS FURIOUS! Yes. But I can't go back and Unfeed this to my child. But then I'm reading you breastfeeding mom's comments and I have to agree some of those are pretty harsh. Calling us ignorant hurts we all struggle to do what is right for our children. The Nazi comment wasn't all that fair either but we formula feeding moms do get attacked all the time it could be in the grocery store or online.

I do thank the woman who posted this b/c I have a few questions for my doctor at her next appointment.

Quote from Jodi Karshbaum "the VAST majority of women who choose to formula feed vs. breastfeed do so without even attempting to breastfeed...and the huge amount of women who do try breastfeeding and find they "can't" are misinformed, or lacking the knowledge of general breastfeeding. (only 1-3% of the population physically can't breastfeed.)"

Thank you for that. I can confirm that is true as I studied/study (never ending) lactation.

OK - if you actually read what she wrote it says "ignorant Moms are feeding this stuff to their babies every single day". Because what that means is that there are Moms who don't inform themselves as to what is really in the product that they are feeding to their babies - she wasn't calling you stupid or any other way that you may take the word ignorant (for some reason so many people don't seem to know what the word ignorant really means) she was saying that people use the product without knowing what it really is - and that is ignorant. I think she's just trying to pass on some information so that some Mothers can make a more informed decision. If you take offence, then that's on you, not her. I will say that I would be one who was ignorant as to what was really in formula - who knew it was so high in sugar? That's insane!! Thankfully I was able to breastfeed with no issues, but some are not so lucky. So for those Moms, wouldn't it be nice to have a product that isn't full of sugar? These companies need to come up with something better!

Has anyone taken into consideration that the formula in question is for infants NINE months and older and most children are eating more solids by that time and starting juices in sippy cups and are having less and less bottles... so its not like thats the only thing the child is taking in thro out the day... my son is 7 months old, is a "similac baby" and only has 3, 7oz bottles a day. I am part of that 3% that Medically could not breastfeed no matter how hard i tried to make it work... i will admit that i was very unhappy with the formula recall but just like the Tylenol recall, these thing happen and they are doing everything they can to make it right. And i totally have to agree that calling formula moms ignorant was totally uncalled for and the author of this article owes alot of people an apology.

First off, I am really offended at being referred to as a "nazi" of any sort...I havn't killed anyone much less tortured and killed countless people for their choice to formula feed.

Secondly, the VAST majority of women who choose to formula feed vs. breastfeed do so without even attempting to breastfeed...and the huge amount of women who do try breastfeeding and find they "can't" are misinformed, or lacking the knowledge of general breastfeeding. (only 1-3% of the population physically can't breastfeed.) Perhaps this article would give much appreciated insight to amother who may have otherwise chosen to formula feed. This article was clearly not written for the miniscule margin of americans who CAN'T breastfeed, but for the astronomically growing numbers of women CHOOSING to formula feed.

As for the word "ignorant", while it does have negative conotations, it simply refers to a lack of understanding or knowledge of whatever topic is at hand. A pretty innocent word without the conotations involved. It could have been left out, I agree, but I get attacked by formula feeding mothers ALL the TIME (such as...oh I don't know...being called a nazi?)

Mother's on this forum breastfeed as well as formula feed, so if we (we being breastfeeding mothers) can't post anything about breastfeeding, then the same should go with any topics concerning formula.

If you don't want to hear it...click the back button so you don't have to read it, it's pretty simple.

*edit After reading the ingredients lists of numerous formulas made by similac, enfamil and Nestle Good Start, both soy and non-soy, all had listed as one of the top 4 ingredients (top 5 make the up the vast majority of the formula, or any food for that matter, the rest being in basically immeasurable amounts, e.i. less than 2%) either lactose or sucrose, both forms of sugars.

Thank you for posting that info. I have breast fed and formula fed my children. Its nice to know what you are actually feeding your child. I know now that I wouldnt want my baby to have formula that is mostly sugar. We all do what we think is best, whether its breast or bottle. But I do wish they would make formula healthier for babies and closer to breast milk.

Carolee, no where in there is ANY JUDGEMENT WHATSOEVER!!!! it is simply a fact based post about ingredients!! ok..get over yourself and stop thinking we are all out to make you feel like sh*t cuz honestly i could give 2 sh*ts about what you feed your child! If nothing else you should feel grateful this woman cares enough to point those facts out just in case some one didn't know, would you like to feed your child something with beetle larvae in it?? i would imagine everyone would want a heads up on that!!

Thankfully, I breastfeed! 19 months now and still going strong! BUT, my sister uses similac for her son and I pointed out the ingredients to her one day...she was absolutely shocked, but it did not change a thing. I'm not saying moms who use formula are bad moms or want to harm their children or are lazy, they are parents like the rest of us, doing the best they can, just like the rest of us! BUT, in a nation that puts conveniece above all else and fast food a close second, I wonder if anybody really cares anymore what's in formula? I know I do...